Introduction: After posting our initial ICAST rod coverage we were
inundated with messages and mail begging for more information on the upcoming
Steez models. We received questions ranging from "Tell me more about the
Air-Beam reel seats" to "I want a Steez now, where can I buy one?!" To help
satisfy your thirst for more Steez data we decided to follow up our initial
coverage with a second dose of of these new enthusiast level rods.

Toru shows Zander the new Steez
rods

What’s a domestic
enthusiast reel without a domestic enthusiast rod? Yes fellow dark-siders,
Daiwa has not only brought the Steez reels stateside, they are bringing the
rods! In a somewhat abbreviated lineup, Daiwa introduced us to 4 new baitcasters
and one new spinning rod that are sure to command much attention from the
enthusiast crowd. We sat down and discussed this lineup’s origins with its
designer, Bobby Saraya.

Notice how the Air Beam reel seat
contours to the shape of your fingers, with indentations exactly where your
fingers rest on the reel seat

These new rods achieve "Style with ease," just as
their appellation implies. These Steez rods are quite unlike any rod currently
available in the US market. Up till now the early adopters, or "enthusiasts" as
we call them here on TT, have imported the vast majority of their offerings. Is
the mass market ready in the US to adopt such a rod series? Quite possibly. Take for example Megabass, which now has a devoted following for their rods despite having a
premium price point. Yes, there are anglers out there willing to shell out the
big bucks for a premium enthusiast grade offering.

The SVF Compile-X models feature a
even more aggressive split grip and butt

With price points between $349.95 to 499.95 (for
the Compile-X versions) they are priced within parity of some other existing
premium domestic rods. The Steez rods are not all about style, they also make
use of the very best technology that Daiwa has to offer.

The Compile-X casting rod's bold
reel seat

The Steez rods make use of exotic components, and
showcase a unique blend of both cutting edge technology and extreme style. A new
SVF graphite blend and SVF compile-X graphite were used on these various rods to
create a rod that would perform different than any rod out there, as well as
elevate Daiwa's brand in the domestic rod market.

The first look at the only
spinning rod of the bunch, this Compile-X rod is exclusively made in Daiwa
Japan's most advanced factory

Both versions of this rod will make use of the
"Bias" graphite fiber first explored in our coverage. Interestingly this process
is so advanced, that only Daiwa's flagship plant in Japan can produce the
Compile-X versions.

Bobby shows Zander two prototypes,
and describes their distinctive actions

When I felt both rods it was hard to discern the
exact difference between the normal SVF and SVF Compile-X versions, and only
after field testing would we be able to tell you if the X version is worth the
additional one hundred dollar investment. What we do know is that Daiwa has made
a concerted effort to differentiate both versions, and the X rods feature even
more aggressive styling cues from butt to tip.

Both Steez versions use premium
Fuji Titanium framed SiC guides

Bobby Saraya, the man responsible for bringing
these rods to the US is a guru when it comes to exotic rod materials and design.
We had an opportunity to sit down with him in Las Vegas and he broke down these
rods one component at a time.

The Machined Aluminum fore-nut

The detail in which Daiwa designed these rods is
impressive, and what we initially thought might have been done with design as a
priority, in most cases turned out to be functional well thought out
engineering. Let's see just how far the rabbit hole goes...